Choosing the Right Powder Coating for Your Fabrication Project

DMG provides comprehensive metal fabrication services – from engineering all the way through assembly and finishing. Many custom fabricated products require durable powder coating as both a protective finish and as aesthetic enhancement. Essentially, DMG’s integration of services ensure our customers receive consistently superior quality from design to delivery.

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After all, the quality of your metal finishing can completely make or break the perceived quality of your products. That’s why DMG offers integrated powder coating services which streamline your supply chain and remove the headache of you sourcing a third-party finishing shop.

Of course, when selecting the right powder coating for your project, it’s important to consider several key factors to ensure optimal performance, durability, and aesthetics. We put together this handy guide to help you understand the finishing options available to you. If you’re looking for further assistance specific to your unique products, reach out to our experts anytime.

The Crucial Questions to Ask to Ensure Quality Powder Coating Services:

1. What type of powder formulation should you choose?

There are numerous different powder coating types and formulations available, optimized for different materials and/or different performance properties. The first step is to carefully consider your product use case to help you choose an effective powder formulation accordingly.

• Epoxy – Ideal for indoor use as it offers excellent adhesion and chemical resistance, but it may chalk or degrade with prolonged UV exposure.
• Polyester – More versatile for outdoor use because of its UV resistance, good finish, and durability.
• Epoxy-Polyester Hybrids – Combines the benefits of both epoxy and polyester. Good for indoor applications where aesthetic and durability are essential.
• Fluoropolymers – Offers excellent UV resistance, making it ideal for outdoor applications and harsh environments.
• Acrylics – Known for providing a high-gloss finish and good color retention. Ideal for decorative applications.

2.What type of substrate or material are you coating?

Different substrates (e.g. aluminum, steel, and various alloys) will work better with different types of powder coatings. We make sure the powder coating you choose is fully compatible with the material we’re fabricating. Proper pretreatment of the substrate, including cleaning and adding a primer, enhances adhesion which promotes better durability and corrosion resistance. DMG uses a comprehensive five-stage iron phosphate pretreatment to ensure the most consistent results possible.

3.What are the environmental/operational conditions of the end product?

It’s important to consider the specific use case of the end product and choose a power type that best fits your needs. For example, if your end products will be exposed to outdoor elements, you’ll typically want a powder coating formulated for enhanced resistance to UV radiation, temperature fluctuations, and moisture. Polyester or fluoropolymer coatings are generally better suited for such outdoor applications.

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For products that will operate in persistently moist and/or chemically corrosive environments, durable powder coatings designed to resist rust and corrosion may be your best bet, such as epoxies or specially formulated anti-corrosion coatings.

4.What are your expectations in terms of aesthetics and finish?

Powder coatings come in an array of unique finishes, e.g. ranging from matte to high gloss. Beyond glossiness, some coatings offer a smooth finish, while others are textured to hide surface imperfections or achieve a unique rugged look. Textured finishes can also enhance slip resistance and grippiness on some surfaces.

In terms of branding and customization, many powder coatings are available in an array of colors, and custom colors can generally be closely matched. Nevertheless, you’ll want to make sure the specific color you need is available in the formulation you choose. DMG’s advanced powder coating system includes quick color change technology to process custom powder coating colors as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.

Choosing the Right Powder Coater with DMG:

DMG’s advanced powder coating lines offer a range of benefits to our customers, including high-quality coatings, color matching, specification assistance, logistics support, and a focus on environmental sustainability. This makes us the versatile and responsible choice for custom precision metal fabrication and enclosure needs.

Additionally, DMG’s large component line provides expanded weight and size capacity.

• + Feet of Custom-Built Power and Free Conveyors – Our conveyorized coating system is the foundation of DMG’s highly sophisticated powder coating services. Our facility integrates a four-booth, computer-controlled powder system that is built to provide both high volume capacity and consistent quality.
• Five-stage Iron Phosphate Cleaning – Advanced pretreatment process ensures maximum adhesion for better quality and consistency.
• Nordson Spray Booths and Automatic Spray Equipment – Our advanced spray booths with automation technology give us application controls that are second to none in the industry, facilitating quick color change and multi-color painting per part.
• Real-Time Visibility to Product Sequence – Maximizes system throughput and reduces overall cost to the customer.
• Superior Quality Control – Quality assurance is built into every step of our system, providing live system alerts and real time performance monitoring.

Quality American Fabrication Solutions for the Midwest Region and Beyond

Davenport supports your custom fabrication project from engineering all the way through metal finishing to ensure superior results in accordance with your exact specifications. Our comprehensive manufacturing capabilities combined with our dedication to quality and customer service has helped DMG remain one of the leading contract manufacturers serving the Indiana region and beyond.

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I hear a lot of folks here talking about powdercoating interior panels or parts of boot cowls and other thin aluminum parts. My powder coating material has to be oven cured at 400 degrees for it to melt and flow out. How in the world do you cure yours and not ruin the part you are coating. All of my interior panels are .025 T3 alum. All are powder coated. Don't know the oven temp. So my experience with thin parts has been great.
I did though have a set of tailwheel springs powder coated. They looked great but the powder coating did not adhere properly and could be peeled off with a putty knife. I think what happens with thick parts is that they are not in the oven long enough to get the whole piece up to temp all the way to the core. The powder melts onto a relatively cold chunk of steel and doesn't adhere properly. That might be what has happened to fuselages that people have had powder coated in which the powder coating just covers like a coating of plastic, any break in the surface and moisture gets underneath. I have powder coated several parts on cars I have restored, I have done my rudder pedals,throttle knobs, pedal brackets, outside step and things like that but if I put a piece of .025 in a 400 degree oven it`s gonna come out like a corn flake

I have powder coated several parts on cars I have restored, I have done my rudder pedals,throttle knobs, pedal brackets, outside step and things like that but if I put a piece of .025 in a 400 degree oven it`s gonna come out like a corn flake

they do all my stuff... .020 T3.... never had any issues.... maybe you should put it in THEN heat oven..??

they do all my stuff... .020 T3.... never had any issues.... maybe you should put it in THEN heat oven..??

Who s that Mike maybe I can call them and see how they do it.

Who s that Mike maybe I can call them and see how they do it.

(907) 892- Advanced Powder Coating

you will want to ONLY speak to Walter or Mark... not the help.... trust me Why is everyone using .025 on interior panels? Seems heavy to me. I made all of my panels out of .016 T3 and will do it again. No need to go thicker. All of my .016 panels and headliner are powdercoated with ZERO warpage. 10 years of Alaska bush flying (moose, outboards, packs, guns, etc., etc.) they still look great.

I think our local powder coat applicator (Advanced Powder Coating) Scotchbrite's the panels first to break through the protective Alclad coating. If you don't do this as part of process, there is no "tooth" for any coating, powder or paint, to stick to. For paint, I Scotchbrite, then acid etch, then Alodine, then epoxy prime and paint.

Take care,

Greg

I think our local powder coat applicator (Advanced Powder Coating) Scotchbrite's the panels first to break through the protective Alclad coating. If you don't do this as part of process, there is no "tooth" for any coating, powder or paint, to stick to. For paint, I Scotchbrite, then acid etch, then Alodine, then epoxy prime and paint.

Take care,

Greg

I think theres also a conversion soak in something liquid they do on the aluminum too first....

I think theres also a conversion soak in something liquid they do on the aluminum too first....

Yes it is supposed to done be after the acid etch in order to neutralize the surface.